I’ll Quit as The Empress

The next day, Sagan changed his mind. Stella, who didn’t know her father’s reason, rode the carriage on her own and left for the Palace to meet Empress Dowager.

Apparently, with his close aide, Gale, Sagan left his official residence. After almost half a day of walking, he eventually saw the lavish procession of the Vatican approaching the imperial borders.

“There are so many of them …….”

Like Gale’s murmur, it was almost like an Emperor’s journey.

“They will arrive late since they bring all the entourage. This is an opportunity for us.”

Sagan took a short deep breath and headed to the tent where the Pope was resting.

“I see you, Your Holiness” Throwing away his dignity as a Duke, Sagan knelt right in front of the Pope and kissed his ring.

Sagan’s respectful attitude made the Pope, who sat on the chair, smile with satisfaction. “Well ……I can’t believe you came to meet this old man.”

“If you say like that, I am sorry.”

When the pope gave the nod, all his attendants left the tent except for David, who was still standing behind him.

Sagan stared at David with a suspicious look, but the Pope grinned as if telling him no needed to worry. “There’s no one in the world who is more trustworthy than David.”

After hearing the Pope’s assertion, there was a relief on Sagan’s face.

After all, It was hard to expect action from the aging Pope. If something had happened, then it was predictable that suspicious Paladin would take over the job.

“I’m sure the wise Pope knows the current situation in the Imperial Palace.”

The Pope nodded his head, touching his white beard, “Woman…….”

“Not only that. His Majesty said that he didn’t need the Vatican to invalidate the divorce, saying he had signed the divorce paper before Your Holiness’ intervention.”

In truth, the Emperor’s marriage or divorce had no effect on the Vatican. But it was a shame for the Pope, and Sagan scratched that part on purpose.

“But, I heard they’re the Prince’s parents. I’ve seen that child for a moment during the Wyverns attack … But I didn’t expect their relationship to be like that. “

“That’s …he’s still illegitimate. The Senate had testified, but I doubt that fact.”

The Pope shook his head firmly. He was also a person who knew the existence of silent stones. Even in a world full of counterfeit items, that relic was real.

“Those old senates are as stubborn as I am. If something was done by the Imperial family, they would’ve confirmed it by the relic first.”

Sagan couldn’t hide his distorted face when his faint hope was dashed. “Your Holiness…..The Metis has always served the Vatican with faith and devotion.”

“I don’t know how to pay for your toil. God will bless you.” said the old Pope.

But what Sagan wanted wasn’t a God’s blessing, but the Empress’ throne. But of course, the Pope didn’t know about it.

“To be honest……Your Majesty’s statement wasn’t completely wrong.”

Adrian was Fabian’s biological son. The problem would be resolved when the birth mother, Evelyn, was crowned as the Empress again.

“But Your Holiness…….”

The Pope was a smart and crafty old man. He indeed received Metis’ devotion. But the annual donations he collected from the Felice Kingdom were huge as well. So, if he had to get involved in this matter, the answer was to choose the one with the most significant profits.

“Nothing has been decided yet.”

The Pope had already drawn a line, and Sagan couldn’t say more and closed his mouth tight.

“I go directly to the Imperial Palace because of this matter ….. I’ll meet everyone and hear their stories first before I decide it by God’s will.”

In other words, the Pope would have preferred to stand on the most profitable side. His merchant-like thought was wildly contradicted with his solemn expression.

“Duke Metis, you should believe in my wisdom and God’s blessings.”

The Pope made a pathetic gesture and gave Sagan a chance to set an example again.

Sagan then knelt before the Pope once again and kissed his ring before he left. Of course, he didn’t look fine as he couldn’t get anything, only pledged his loyalty.

“Duke, how could you already…” Gale approached him, noticing his unusual look. But he didn’t dare to ask what’s going on inside the tent.

Gale rented a small cabin on the hill for the Duke to rest since they had traveled a long way. But, as soon as Duke Metis entered the house, there was a loud sound of kicking a chair.

“You cunning old man! After everything you’ve received, how could he talk to me like that?!”

It was rare for Sagan to be so angry, so Gale quickly shut the cabin’s door, afraid if someone outside could hear it.

“He’s always making a fuss with the Emperor, but now he chooses the side who will donate more money and can save his face! Even he’s coming to the Imperial family directly! “

The Metis family had provided generous amounts of offerings and services to the Vatican. However, the Pope’s calculations seemed a little different from Sagan’s.

“I’ve been skipping something important for a long time…..”

The Pope felt he had no debt after made Monica an Empress and gave birth to a successor.

Besides, if the Felice Kingdom and the Akshire family were in one stronghold, then letting go of the Metis’ hands wouldn’t be something to be regretted about.

“Then… What are you going to do?” asked Gale carefully. His troop could only move if Sagan had given the order. So, the most important thing right now was to make the right decisions on time.

“When I blinked, I could see them gang up on me and drown me in the water.”

Sagan already knew the Pope’s character from the beginning. But he didn’t expect that his nephew, Fabian, would act at will and push him to the brink of crisis at once.

What’s more, everything was done before Sagan realized it. It was an insult that would never happen twice in his political life.

“I have to go back to the Imperial Palace right now.”

“But Duke …. the horses are already tired…”

“There’s no time to be worrying about that. It’s better to avoid other people’s eyes, so we will leave at night. Now let’s take a rest for a while.”

Sagan forced his eyes to close, but there’s no way he could fall asleep when the fire broke out inside his body.

Often his mind comes up with an idea, but it’s always hard to get out of Fabian’s web-like trick.

“What should I do… …,” Sagan whispered to himself.

As he was pondering, suddenly he heard a knock on the door, and Gale walked in.

“What?” Sagan, who was anxious about nothing, looked at Gale and asked.

“Sir David, His Holiness’ Paladin, would like to meet you.”

Sagan squinted his eyes at that unexpected request. It was no different from the pope asking for direct dialogue. “Let him in, and keep a close watch on his surroundings.”

“Yes.”

Shortly after Gale left, the cabin’s door opened, and David entered the room.

It was strange. Even though the sky outside was starting to get dark, but Sagan saw bright light surrounding him when David appeared as if he had seen an illusion.

He was a young man who was worthy of getting the Pope’s trust. Sagan was also lulled by his figure at this point,

“I’m David, the Paladin of His Holiness.”

David introduced himself with a gesture as natural and graceful as flowing water.

“I know. Let’s sit down first.”

David, who sat across from Sagan, was a young man with mysterious purple eyes.

“I don’t think you came here to say goodbye to me or….”

David nodded with a faint smile when Sagan talked straight to the point.

“His Holiness and the Duke have the same purpose.”

The words David had just spoken were like a ray of light. Sagan seemed stunned without even knowing it.

“Earlier, the Pope was just careful that someone would have a wrong idea. Instead, he sent me here.”

“All….right…”

The Vatican’s procession was vast and crowded. It was difficult to conclude that there were no spies among them.

“By all means, His Holiness is wise.”

“Yes, he is.” Sagan breathed a sigh of relief. If the Vatican had offered their hands, it would have helped him fought for the Empress’s throne.

“The biggest stumbling block right now is Adrian, the Imperial successor,” said Sagan.

“His Holiness is well aware of that. Actually…”

Suddenly, Sagan’s mouth felt burning when David faded the end of his words.

“A few days ago, His Holiness heard God’s voice.” He continued.

“Such a thing…… What did God say?” asked Sagan curiously.

“Prince Adrian is a Red Star. His existence will destroy the Empire in the future… … .”

Sagan suddenly sprang to his feet, “Really, really did the God say that!”

His heart was overflowing with joy as if he had found the answer at the end of a labyrinth.

Sagan had no faith or believed in religion. But he had a history of predicting major disasters by hearing God’s prophecies in the Vatican.

So the testimony of David was compelling enough. Above all, wasn’t that the same as his own goal?

” It’s a cruel fate for a young Prince, but humans can’t avoid God’s will.”

“Well, yes…… Poor thing, but it can’t be helped for the greater good.” Sagan tried to keep the expression on his face, but it was difficult to hide his true intentions in front of the serene purple eyes.

“I wonder if His Majesty will accept this oracle? He never listens to anyone and also not close to His Holiness.” sighed Sagan.

“His Holiness also deeply regrets that. After all, it was the omen of his own son’s death….wouldn’t it be cruel to let His Majesty remarry?”

Sagan’s head nodded. The Paladin’s voice stole the listener’s heart and instilled faith in him, just like a spell.

“Losing a child in an unforeseen accident, isn’t that much better?”

“Yes, because accidents can’t be prevented …… but, how? We need to approach him,” asked Sagan.

“When the Vatican enters the Imperial Palace, there will be opportunities. At that time, you can move.”

“That’s not hard.”

David nodded slowly. “This is all for the sake of saving this world from destruction.”

“Yes, this is for justice. It’s God’s will.” Sagan said. His eyes were filled with conviction.

“Duke, there are many eyes and ears around His Holiness. So you mustn’t tell anyone about this except for me.”

“Oh, I know the importance of this job.”

“Also, after an unforeseen accident …… We need a new Empress to make His Majesty forget all the facts. Princess Evelyn is just a Princess from another country without her son, so it would be best to return her to her Kingdom.”

Sagan quickly grabbed David’s hand without his knowledge, “Of course, of course! my purpose is the same as His Holiness!”

Sagan’s face, blatantly brightened, was stained with ambition. David glanced at him and slowly pulled out his hand. He still wasn’t used to making physical contact with humans.

“And there’s one more thing you should do.”

“What is it? Tell me anything.” Sagan was willing to sell his soul at this moment.

“According to His Holiness prophecy, the signs of destruction will begin from the Empress’s Palace. But, the structure of the Inner Palace is hidden, and I don’t have the map….”

“I’ll get the map right away. I’ll get it to you, so don’t worry!”

“The other structures are not important. But please tell me where the secret attic is. His Holiness will cleanse it.”

His gentle voice took away Sagan’s common sense.

“For the next Empress… … It’s necessary.”

Sagan nodded. It was a face reminiscent of the Pope, who was hypnotized as he listened to David’s words.

After reciting prayers of thanksgiving repeatedly, Sagan led his weary body and rode his horse towards the Imperial Palace.

Only

David stayed quiet with an expressionless face as he saw Sagan’s hasty departure.

“Killing isn’t justice.”

A man who wanted to kill a child for his ambition wasn’t justified. It was an ugly human side that went against David’s will.

But now……David helped him to do so.

“But I am a justice that guards the balance.”

He quietly closed his eyes. He had to get rid of the life that didn’t exist in this world quickly and put everything back in place.

To do so, first, he had to find the debris that remained in the place where he had cast the time magic.